Advertisement

UK's youth 'lack basic skills'

Young people in Britain are falling far behind those in countries like Japan, Finland and the Netherlands in basic literacy and numeracy skills, according to a major international study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Basic skills 'bound to decline' without 'significant action'

The OECD report on numeracy and literacy in 24 countries said basic skills among young people in England and Ireland were "bound to decline" unless "significant action" is taken.

Although young people in these countries are entering a much more demanding labour market, they are not much better equipped with literacy and numeracy skills than those who are retiring.

The implication for England and Northern Ireland is that the stock of skills available to them is bound to decline over the next decades unless significant action is taken to improve skills proficiency among young people.